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I am writing in response to your request for additional information inBlock 3 of the accident report form. I put 'poor planning' as the cause ofmy accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trustthe following details will be sufficient.

I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working aloneon the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed my work, I foundthat I had some bricks left over which, whenweighed later were found to be slightly in excess of 500lbs.

Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in abarrel by using a pulley, which was attached to the side of the building onthe sixth floor.

Securing the rope at ground I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out andloaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the rope, holding ittightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks.You will note in Block 11 of the accident report form that I weigh 135lbs. Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lostmy presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, Iproceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building.

In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel, which was nowproceeding downward at an equally impressive speed. This explained thefractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken collar bone, aslisted in section 3 of the accident report form. Slowed only slightly, Icontinued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right handwere two knuckles deep into the pulley.

Fortunately by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able tohold tightly to the rope, in spite of beginning to experience pain.

At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit theground and the bottom fell out of the barrel.

Now devoid of the weight of the bricks, that barrel weighed approximately50 lbs. I refer you again to my weight.

As you can imagine, I began a rapid descent, down the side of the building.In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. Thisaccounts for the two fractured ankles, broken toothand several lacerations of my legs and lower body.

Here my luck began to change slightly. The encounter with the barrel seemedto slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the pile of bricksand fortunately only three vertebrae were cracked.

I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, inpain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind andlet go of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel begin itsjourney back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs.